Sam Waley-Cohen believes the main threat to Long Run regaining his Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup crown is likely to come from stablemate Bobs Worth.
The amateur jockey fears the Hennessy Gold Cup winner who, like Long Run, is housed at Nicky Henderson's stables at Seven Barrows.
"Bobs Worth's form looks incredibly impressive and improving second-season chasers have a strong record so he has to be the one to beat. But in many years you would have to say the winner of the King George would have to be favourite so it's an intriguing race this year," he told At The Races.
"The form of all the leading contenders is strong whether it's Sir Des Champs or Silvianico Conti, or some that haven't been prominent in the betting. In reality whatever wins it is going to have to run up to a mark which they have not yet achieved and that is what makes this race particularly exciting."
Long Run has not seen racecourse action since winning the King George VI Chase for a second time at Kempton on Boxing Day. Plans to give him a prep run in the Betfair Denman Chase at Newbury were scrapped because of the testing ground, but the lack of a recent outing does not worry Waley-Cohen.
He said: "There's no worry about him being race ready. Nicky Henderson got Bobs Worth ready to win the Hennessy without a run. I don't think the gap between the King George and the Gold Cup holds any real fears."
There had been talk of Long Run wearing cheekpieces in the blue riband, but the jockey reports that had yet to be decided.
"We are discussing and considering putting him in cheekpieces, but it does present two challenges," he said.
"He is pretty keen over the first mile of a race and cheekpieces aren't going to help that, but he seems to need them in the last mile of the race. We will just have to sit down and take into consideration whether they are going to be a help or a hindrance."
13 May 2013
Fabre confirms Ocovango for EpsomAspect on route to big things
Room at the top for Cityscape
Freedom steps into chasing ranks
Lucky thirteen in line for Lockinge
Galway beckons for Swinton hero
Sajjhaa set for late return
Cadeaux thriving in Singapore
Pink primed for Duke Of York
Liber takes aim at Musidora
Battle won for O'Brien
Pretending the real deal
Duntle back to winning ways
Classic glory for Flotilla
Style wins the day in Paris
Highclere double-handed for Dante
Cornerstone plans up in the air
Beckett planning Gesture workout
12 May 2013
No hurry for Jammy plansGuest in hunt for more Ascot glory
Vow set for Goodwood return
Gold-en boy Anodin in Classic hunt
Buick aiming for French strike
Angel flies home to land Chartwell
Barizan bounces back in style
Queally lights up Ascot meeting
Ektihaam storms to Buckhounds win
Nevis takes depleted Trial contest
Hard-fought battle won at Haydock
Secret impresses in Oaks Trial
Ascot drama for Fanning
11 May 2013
Felix foot-perfect on fencing debutCavalryman leads Cup charge
Ramsa ready to stand Trial
Duntle out to dazzle in Amethyst
Swift return doesn't bother Moran
Garman gives Bolger hope
Henderson: Ground vital for Voice
McMahon sweet on Tart Ascot claims
Murphy to move to France
Athos flies to Ormonde glory
Dee day for impressive Magician
Kingdom confirmed for Queen Anne
Secret's out for Lingfield glory
Lambe expects good run from Hall
Marengo ready to do battle
Greatwood on trial at Lingfield
Barizan sneaks into Swinton
Jamesie gunning for Vic-tory
10 May 2013
Telescope focus is on DanteBlinkers considered for Guarantee#
Bonfire camp bemoan Huxley flop
Moohaajim has six appeal
Ascot welcomes a couple of Guests